Heritage announces 'strong' profit

HERITAGE Bank today announced a strong pre-tax profit of $21.05 million for the six month period to December 2011, an increase of 5.4% over the same period the previous year.

The after-tax profit of $14.74 million was also up 1.9% on the same period last year.

Chairman Mr Brian Carter said the results came despite extremely tight market conditions and at a time when Heritage had taken important steps to position itself for future growth.

"Heritage Bank continues to develop as a modern financial institution and we have made significant evolutionary changes in the last six months that will position us better for ongoing success," Mr Carter said.

"Our name change to Heritage Bank in December last year was an important milestone. It better reflects our role and will improve our cut-through in the market place.

"Late last year we also announced the expansion of our mortgage broking network throughout Australia, making us a truly national player in the mortgage market and providing geographic diversification. With plans also developed to open two new branches Queensland in 2012, the last six month period has been one of key strategic achievements."

Loan approvals for the half-year were $568.94 million, down 29.4% from the $806.41 million for the same period the previous year. Retail deposits grew $205.32 million in the six-month period, compared to $183.40 million in the same period in 2010. Consolidated assets grew 0.42% to $8.078 billion compared to 30 June 2011.

"Our loan approval levels reflect the overall contraction of the mortgage market, as well as strong competition in this sector. Our solid profit performance in this environment demonstrates the excellent financial management that is a hallmark of Heritage," Mr Carter said.

In January, ratings agency Moody's confirmed Heritage's rating of A3/P-2 with a Stable outlook, despite the decision by Standard & Poor's in December to lower its rating for Heritage.

"That rating downgrade was inexplicable to me, and to many others in the industry, particularly as Moody's reaffirmed our strong rating just a few weeks later," Mr Carter said.

CEO Mr John Minz said Heritage delivered another notable achievement in December with its highest-ever customer satisfaction rating in the monthly Roy Morgan Research Consumer Finance Survey.

Heritage's satisfaction rating of 97.1% is not only its best since the surveys began in 1996, it gives Heritage the highest satisfaction rating of any bank in Australia.

"Heritage's promise to our customers is to put People first, and our best-ever customer satisfaction rating in December clearly shows that we are delivering on that promise," Mr Minz said.

"Not only are we Australia's largest customer-owned bank, but also we have the most satisfied customers in the country."

Mr Minz said Heritage's People first philosophy was reflected in its approach to interest rates.

"In recent times there has been a scramble from many other ADIs to increase their variable home loan rates, independent of any RBA increase," he said.

"Heritage has resisted that move and kept our rates the same. However, we will keep monitoring our margins, as well as what's happening in the marketplace, and may need to adjust our rates in future. As always, we will be guided by the best long-term interests of Heritage and our members."

The capital ratio was down slightly compared to the same period last year.

"This reflects a number of factors, including the redemption of a $35 million term subordinated debt transaction and the fact that we are still waiting on a final capital adequacy ratio standard from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)," Mr Minz said.

"Once APRA does release the standard and we know the requirements, we intend investigating options to issue a qualifying instrument."

Loan arrears greater than 30 days increased slightly but still represent only 0.53% of the total mortgage portfolio balance. This increase came off an extremely low base and the result is still the envy of most other banking institutions.